Surgical basin and support



Aug. 1, 1961 J. 0. HART ETAL 2,994,761

SURGICAL BASIN AND SUPPORT Filed Nov. 4, 1957 NVENTORJ JUIICII'I Deryl art Ggsrge W. Newton as as ATTORjE! United States Patent Filed Nov. 4, 1957, Ser. No. 694,397

13 Claims. (Cl. 219-43) This invention relates to surgical basins and basin supporting fixtures and relates more particularly to a surgical basin and supporting fixture having means for releasably locking the basin to the stand and also means for heating the basin contents.

Standard operating procedure in medical operating rooms dictates that surgical equipment utilized by opcrat ng personnel or Within close proximity to the operating station requires rigid sterilization treatment. With particular reference to wash basins and stands, to which this invention is specifically directed, a number of which is normally in attendance for each individual surgical operation, a sterile towel is draped initially over a basin-supporting stand or fixture and a sterile basin containing sterile water or other liquid is placed over the towel-draped basin receiving fixture with the towel extending over the exposed non-sterile parts of the basin supporting fixture or stand. This conventional practice has been found desirable because frequently the gowns worn by operating personnel and attendants become contaminated upon inadvertent contact with exopscd unsterile fixtures. Frequent basin changes during a single operation may take place with the concomitant replacement of towels and the ever present possibility of contamination of operating personnel apparel. Not only is towel replacement costly but towel maintenance, laundering and towel inventory costs are appreciable in hospitals and clinics.

Furthermore, it is frequently necessary during the course of a single surgical operation to heat or reheat water or other liquids within one of the surgical basins. This heating or reheating requires basin removal from the supporting fixture and replacement by another basin in which the water has been heated to the desired temperature by means of a separate heating unit that is usually remotelyrlocated from the operating station.

Therefore, the present invention contemplates a basinsupporting stand or fixture on which a surgical basin may be supported in a manner to isolate the fixture from direct contaminating contact with apparel worn by operating personnel.

This invention further presents a basin-supporting fixture on which a basin for use in operating rooms or similar environments may be releasably connected.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a surgical basin supporting stand for releasably locking a surgical basin in position on the stand and supporting the basin in a manner to eliminate the necessity of draping a sterile towel over the basin supporting stand.

Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of a surgical basin supporting fixture having a readily releasable locking mechanism for supporting and receiving a surgical basin.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a surgical basin supporting fixture having a quick release mechanism for mounting a surgical basin and a means for heating the contents of the surgical basin while the basin remains in situ on the fixture.

Yet a further objective of this invention contemplates the provision of a removable basin supporting stand on which a basin may be releasably mounted and the releasing mechanism for supporting the basin may be actuated to disengage the basin without manually contacting the basin.

Patented Aug. 1, 1961 "ice This invention further contemplates the provision of a supporting fixture for releasably locking a surgical basin thereon which fixture will be exposed but which structure will be removed from the normal reach of garments worn by operating personnel when a basin is mounted in position on the fixture.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages ofthis novel surgical basin, supporting stand and releasable locking mechanism will become more "readily apparent to those in the surgical art as the invention becomes better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a surgical basin supporting fixture and surgical basin mounted thereon, with portions removed, embodying one form of the inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of a surgical basin on a stand of FIG. 1 depicting a releasable locking connection therebetween;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a basin-supported releasable locking ring per se;

FIG.'4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the plane of section line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a modified form of a basin-supported locking device;

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the plane of section line 6-6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary and partial elevational View, with portions removed, of a modified embodiment of the inventive concept in which a pedal or foot-operated surgical basin releasing mechanism is mounted on a basin supporting fixture.

Referring to the drawing and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown therein a basin-supporting stand or fiixture 10 having a tripod base 11 with the individual leg members 12 radiating outwardly and downwardly therefrom to receive at each terminal end a caster. A central column or stanchion 14 extends vertically from the stanchion-receiving bore 15 in the base for vertical slidable adjustment therein by means of the threadably engaged stud 16. At the upper end of the stanchion 14 is securely mounted a surgical basin supporting base 17 through the depending collar 18.

The surgical basin-receiving base 17 is in the form of a hot-plate in which a dished housing 19 and a flat cover member 20 are threadably connected together to form a sealed airtight chamber 21 to enclose a thermostatically controlled electrical heating unit 22 therein, either of the conventional rod or circular type. Connection to an external source of electrical energy is supplied to the heating unit by means of the flexible cable 23 which will be introduced into the chamber 21 for connection to the heating unit through an airasealed bushing 24 in the housing 19. A switch unit 25 may be provided for turning the heating unit on or off which switch unit is readily accessible at the base of the housing 19.

A surgical basin receiving socket member 27 is threadably secured to the cover member 20 through the stud 28. The socket member in this embodiment is constituted by a dish washer 29 which is contiguous with the upper surface of the cover member 20, a circular plate 30 is mounted on the washer 29 and has a diameter that is larger than that of the washer, and a frusto-conical spacer washer 31 is mounted above the circular plate and beneath the head of the stud. The circular plate 30 has milled therein a number of radially projecting recesses 32 that are circumferentially spaced from each other and inclined to form a partial helix for the purpose to be described hereinafter.

A surgical type flared basin 33 having a central bottom dished portion 34 may be placed on the basin-receiving base 17 with the socket member being introduced into the dished portion 34. A flat ring member 35 having radially inwardly projecting lugs 36 is fastened as by spot welding to the bottom of the basin 34 within a circular indentation 37 that surrounds the dished portion 34 so as to be flush with the basin bottom 38. The individual lugs 36 will be cooperatively received within the radial recess 32 as the basin is oriented properly over the basinreceiving base and the basin will turn slightly upon seating in position, with the internal diameter of the ring member 35 clearing the circular plate 30. In the seated position, the lugs 36 will extend beneath the plate 30 toward the washer 29. It has been found that the thickness of the washer 29 need only be a few .thousandths thickness greater than the lug thickness to provide a snug fit for releasable locking engagement upon rotation of the seated basin.

As will be readily apparent, with the basin mounted in position on the fixture and the perimeter of the fixture radially extending legs being substantially extensive, the garments of operating personnel will not be apt to be contaminated by contact with exposed portions of the fixture. Obviously, the diameter of the basin-receiving member may be appreciably reduced or the diameter of the basin increased. The actual support for the basin may be provided simply by a circular plate approximating the diameter of the ring member35. In some embodiments of this inventive concept the heating attachment and housing therefor may be totally eliminated and the releasable locking means attached directly, in a suitable manner, to the vertical stanchion 14 by means of the socket member 27.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the ring member 35 with projecting lugs, per se. It will be obvious that the length of the projecting lugs 36 must be such as to permit the free introduction of the lugs into the recesses 32, but nevertheless, provide suflicient gripping actions so as not to be too freely removed from the locking engagement with the recess provided between the bottom of the plate 30 and the top of the basin supporting base plate 20.

A modification of the interengageable releasable locking means is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 wherein the ring member 40, for substitution in place of the ring member 35, is provided with inwardly projecting lugs 41 that areindividually inclined to form a helix so as to be received within a plate member 30 or the like. Utilization of the helixed lugs will provide for greater stability in the locking engagement of the interma-t-ing members. As with ring member 35, ring member 40 may be spot welded to the bottom of a basin. It is preferred that the helical angle of the lugs 41 complement the angle of the recesses 32 in the plate 30.

A modification of the present inventive concept is shown in FIG. 7 wherein the fixture has a base 45 sub stantially similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with a vertical outer stanchion member 46 slidably retained in the base and fastened to the bottom of the basinreceiving housing 47. An inner stanchion pipe 48 is threadably fastened with a boss 49 extending from the cover plate casting 50 mounted on the basin-receiving housing 47'. Tubular stanchion 46 is slotted (not shown) along a portion of its length to permit the introduction of the locking screw 52, threadably fastened on the base 45, to engage the pipe 43 and retain the basin-receiving housing at the desired elevation.

-At least one thermostatically controlled heating element 54, adequate to heat the plate 50 to the requisite temperature, is thread-ably retained within the sealed chamber 55. A flexible connecting cable 56 extends from the heating element 54 through the outer stanchion and through the collar 57 and bushing 58 to a source of electrical current. A cut-01f switch 5-9 for the heating element is accessibly mounted on the housing 47.

A spring-biased locking lever 60 is pivotally mounted 4 on the pin 61 that is fastened to the casting 50 and the lever extends; upwardly through an opening therein. One end of the lever 60 has a ring-receiving hook 62 and the other end is provided with an inclined cam surface 63 and spring-receiving guide pin 64. A depending rib 65 has a similar spring guide pin 66. A compression coil spring 67 supported between the guide pins 64 and 66 will urge the hook 62 into the locking position illustrated in FIG. 7.

A vertical actuating lever or push rod 67 reaches from sliding contact with the cam surface 63 within the outer stanchion, to project through the base 45 at the lower end thereof. A guide bushing 68 mounted in the base limits lateral movement of the rod 67. Actuation of the rod 67 by urging the rod vertically with the foot will pivot the lever 60 clockwise.

Surgical basin 70, having a central indentation 71 and shallow rim indentation 72, overhangs the basin receiving plate member 50 to prevent garment contact with the housing 47. A circular ring 73 is fastened as by spot welding to the shallow. rim indentation on the basin for releasable locking engagement with the ring-receiving hook ,62 of the lever 60. The crest 74 of the hook 62 is provided with an inclined surface so that upon placing the basin 70 in position, the lever 60 will be cammed inwardly initially and then with the basin bottom seated on the plate the hook will engage the inner rim of the ring 73.

In view of the explosive nature of some of the fluids and gases employed in operating rooms, it is necessary to seal the chamber housing the electrical heating electrical heating element. It will also be apparent that the size of the basin-supporting bases or housings may be varied without deviating fiom this inventive concept.

Obviously, many modifications and variations may be made in the interconnecting releasable locking means and mechanisms for the basin as well as deviations made in the design with respect to the basin to eliminate the necessity of the dished portion without departing from the true spirit of this invention. Therefore, the use of mechanical equivalents and variations from those specifically disclosed are contemplated and come Within the contemplation of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

' 1. In combination, a surgical basin supporting stand and surgical basin releasably mounted thereon, said stand having interconnected a base, a vertical stanchion and a basin-receiving base, said basin-receiving base having one element of a basin releasable locking means projecting vertically therefrom, said element having radially projecting helical slots circumferentially spaced from each other, a non-tiltable surgical basin with a flat bottom having a central upwardly dished portion to receive therein said one element, and a mating element to said one element mounted on the basin bottom and substantially flush therewith in juxtaposition to said dished portion to releasably lock said basin on the basin-r6ceiving base, said mating element having radial inwardly projecting lugs.

2. In combination, a surgical basin supporting stand and surgical basin releasably mounted thereon, said stand having interconnected a base, a vertical pedestal and a basin-receiving base at the top of said pedestal, a basinreceiving base at thetop of said pedestal, a basin-receiving means projecting vertically from said basin base including a circumferentially slotted member, a flat bottom surgical basin having a central upwardly dished socket, said socket having radially projecting means thereon for cooperatively engaging said slotted member to releasably lock said basin onsaid basin-receiving base upon partial rotation of said basin on the basin-receiving means.

3. In combination, a surgical basin supporting stand and a surgical basin releasably mounted thereon, said stand having interconnected a base, a vertically adjustable pedestal and a basin-receiving base and housing at the upper terminal end of said pedestal, said basin-receiving base and housing having sealed therein an electrically energized heating element, and a spring-biased locking lever pivotally mounted in the housing and projecting vertically therefrom above said basin-receiving base, a vertically displaceable pedal operated push rod, one end of which engages said locking lever, a surgical basin having a flat bottom with a central upwardly dished portion and a locking lever-receiving ring mounted concentrically therein, said dished portion receiving the locking lever therein in releasable biased locking engagement with said lever receiving ring.

4. In combination, a surgical basin supporting stand and a surgical basin releasably mounted thereon, said stand having interconnected a base and a vertically adjustable pedestal and a basin-receiving base and housing,

said basin-receiving base and housing being mounted at the upper terminal end of said pedestal, said basin-receiving base and housing having mounted therein and extending vertically therefrom a spring-biased locking lever, a vertically displaceable pedal operated push rod, one end of which engages said locking lever, a surgical basin having a flat bottom with a central upwardly dished portion and a locking lever-receiving ring mounted to partially enclose said dished portion, said dished portion receiving the locking lever therein in releasable biased locking engagement with the said ring and wherebly upon upward movement of said push rod the locking lever will be pivoted to release the basin locking lever receiving ring from looking engagement therewith.

5. In combination, a surgical basin supporting stand having a surgical basin releasably mounted thereon, said stand having a base with casters thereon and a vertical pedestal and a basin-receiving base and housing interconnected with each other to form said stand, said housing having an electrically energized heating element sealed therein, an upwardly projecting basin-receiving and locking means mounted on said basin-receiving base, said basin having a flat bottom and a central upwardly dished portion and a locking means matingly cooperative with said projecting locking means on said basin-receiving base.

6. In combination, a surgical basin supporting stand and a surgical basin releasably mounted thereon, said stand having interconnected a base with casters thereon and a vertical pedestal and a basin-receiving base and housing, said housing having an upwardly projecting basin-receiving and locking means mounted thereon, said basin having a flat bottom and a central upwardly dished portion and a pivotally mounted releasable locking means matingly cooperative with said projecting locking means on said basin-receiving base.

7. For use in combination with a surgical basin supporting stand having a basin-receiving base and housing, said housing having an electrical heating element mounted therein with the means for connecting said element toa supply of electric current, said basin-receiving base having a vertically projecting basin-receiving element for releasably receiving a basin thereon, a non-tiltable surgical basin having a flat bottom for resting on the basin-receiving base, said basin bottom having a central upwardly dished portion for receiving the basin-receiving element, and a member mounted concentrically with said dished portion for cooperative releasable locking engagement with the basin-receiving element.

8. In combination, a surgical basin supporting stand having a surgical basin releasably mounted thereon, said stand having a base and a vertical pedestal and a basinreceiving base and housing interconnected with each other to form said stand, said housing having an electrically energized heating element sealed therein, an up wardly projecting basin-receiving and locking means mounted on said basin-receiving base, said basin having a flat bottom and a central upwardly dished portion and a locking means matingly cooperative with said projecting locking means on said basin-receiving base.

9. In combination, a surgical basin supporting stand having a surgical basin releasably mounted thereon, said stand having a base and a vertical pedestal and a basinreceiving base and housing interconnected with each other mounted thereon to form said stand, said housing having sealed therein means for heating the basin-receiving base, an upwardly projecting basin-receiving and locking means mounted on said basin-receiving base, said basin having a fiat bottom and a central upwardly dished portion and a locking means matingly cooperative with said projecting locking means on said basin-receiving base.

10. In combination, a surgical basin supporting stand having -a surgical basin releasably mounted thereon, said stand having a base at one end thereof and a vertical pedestal supported therefrom and a basin-receiving base and housing interconnected to each other mounted on said pedestal at the other end thereof, a heating element in said basin receiving base, means for electrically heating the heating element in said basin-receiving base, an upwardly projecting basin-receiving and locking means mounted on said basin-receiving base, said basin having a flat bottom precluding tilting and a central upwardly dished portion, and a locking means mounted in juxtaposition to the dished portion on the basin for matingly cooperatively engaging with said projecting locking means on said basin-receiving base.

11. In combination, a surgical basin supporting stand having a surgical basin releasably mounted thereon, said stand having a base and a vertical pedestal mounted on said base at one end of said pedestal, a basin-receiving base and housing mounted on the other end of said pedestal, an electrical heating element sealed in said housing, means for supplying electrical current to said electrical element, an upwardly projecting basin-receiving and locking means mounted on said basin-receiving base, said locking means having a plate having at least one projecting lug and a basin lug-receiving recess, said basin having a flat bottom and a central upwardly dished portion, a ring concentrically mounted in juxtaposition to the dished portion of the basin, said ring having a central opening for cooperatively receiving said plate therein and a lug projecting from the ring for cooperative introduction into the lug-receiving recess in the plate for releasably loclcing the basin on the basin-receiving base upon partial rotation of the basin about its axis.

12. In combination, a surgical basin supporting stand and a non-tiltable basin releasably mounted thereon, said stand having a basin-supporting base and means projecting from the base having a basin-receiving and locking lug helical recess, a surgical basin having a flat bottom.

for resting on the basin-supporting base, said basin bottom having a central upwardly dished portion for receiving therein the base projecting means, and means having a lug helical projecting therefrom to register with the lug recess on the base to releasably lock the basin on the base upon introduction of the lug into the recess upon partial rotation of the basin about the basin axis onto the basin supporting base.

13. In combination, a surgical basin supporting stand and a non-tiltable basin releasably mounted thereon, said stand having a basin supporting base having means projecting therefrom for supporting the basin thereon, said means having a basin-receiving and locking lug recess, a housing mounted beneath said basin-supporting base, said housing having an electrically energized heating element mounted therein for heating the basin-supporting base, a surgical basin having a flat bottom for resting on the basin-supporting base, said basin bottom having a central upwardly dished portion for receiving therein the base means mounted thereon, and means having a lug projecting therefrom to register with the lug recess on the base to releasably lock the basin on the base upon introduc- .tion of the lug into the recess and partial rotation of the basin about the basin axis. 1 7

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 McDowell Dec. 7, 1875 Lamping May 1, 1894 Lucashevski July 3, 1894 Savage Sept. 3, 1901 10 Gutermann Mar. 7, 1911 8 Kuhn et a1. Oct. 17, 1911 Dickinson Nov. 8, 1927 Zwermann Aug. 21, 1934 Kuhnei Jan. 16, 1940 Reichold Jan. 13, 1942 Nicholson Aug. 1, 1950 Park Feb. 27, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Sept. 27, 1923 Germany Oct. 1-1, 1924 

